[Elecraft] KIO2 connector safety modification?

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Bart,

That was my suggestion, and it was only a post on the reflector, I did not 
write up anything further.
The details are as you recall - Pin 4 is not used, so that is the one to 
sacrifice.  To plug the hole, you can use most anything, a whittled down 
piece of toothpick for example.  I used a bit of wire just large enough to 
stay securely in the hole.

I have also implemented a different cure - I just made a short IO cable 
(about 5 inches long) that is permanently screwed onto the KIO2 connector, 
the short cable is built just like the normal K2 cable except that I 
connected the shield on both ends.  Since the wires that may damage the K2 
are not connected in this short cable, any normal RS-232 cable can be used 
with no harm, but for shielding/isolation purposes, I use the normal K2 to 
PC cable.

So now you have 2 ways of providing protection - take your pick.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- 
>
> I seem to recall that somebody somewhere reported adding a safety measure 
> to the IO connector and the matching cable. It involved plugging one hole 
> in the K2's IO socket and cutting a pin fom the corresponding connector on 
> the cable, I think.
> The idea was to prevent one from using any old cable in a moment 
> of -let's-get-it-going- rush, a phenomenom we all seem to recognize... ;-)
>
> Anyway, being in the proces of building the KIO2, I cannot find the 
> article anywhere but contemplate implementing such a safety feature. I 
> wouldn't know which pin to sacrifice (might take one out that is needed in 
> a future application). Any pointers from the list?
>
> Best,
>
> Bart de PA3GYU
>